October 7, 2024
October 7, 2024
ITANAGAR, Sep 19: A group of environmentalists, social activists, and human rights defenders has called on the state government to review Arunachal Pradesh’s Hydropower Policy, 2008.
In a letter to the chief minister, the group urged the promotion of community-based renewable energy and decentralized power grids, asserting these measures would benefit both local communities and the government.
North East Human Rights chairperson, Ebo Milli, stated the group is not opposed to development or the government but expressed concerns over rampant dam construction in the state. They cited risks posed by Glacial Lake Outburst Floods (GLOF), flagged by the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), as a key reason for the policy review.
The group had earlier written to the chief minister on February 24, 2024, highlighting the dangers of GLOF.
Milli, an advocate at the Gauhati High Court’s Itanagar Permanent Bench, accused dam developers of manipulating data by funding studies on glacial lakes in Dibang Valley.
“We doubt the accuracy of their results, as these developers have a history of data manipulation,” Milli said.
The group also raised concerns over incomplete and inaccurate surveys for the Etalin hydroelectric project. In 2017, the Wildlife Institute of India (WII) was tasked with assessing the project’s impact on Dibang Valley’s biodiversity. However, a peer review titled The Devil is in the Detail by 29 scientists found the WII report contained “incomplete” and “inaccurate” data, leading to an inadequate assessment of the project's environmental impact.
The group further criticized the short, four-month survey period conducted by WII, which they claimed was limited in scope and did not meet the multi-seasonal study requirements.
In addition to the Etalin project, the group expressed concerns over multiple dams planned for the Dibang River and the pre-feasibility report (PFR) for the Siang Upper Multipurpose Project on the Siang River. They alleged that public objections to the dams have been repeatedly suppressed.
Referring to an order by Siang deputy commissioner PN Thungon on August 30, which warned gaon buras, panchayat leaders, and officials against participating in "anti-government" meetings, the group accused the administration of abusing its power.
“Since when did concern for ancestral land, home, and environment become anti-government or anti-development?” the group asked.
They reiterated opposition to the National Hydro Power Corporation’s (NHPC) notification for the Siang Upper Multipurpose Project survey, emphasizing the need for free, prior, and informed consent (FPIC) from affected communities, in line with a Gauhati High Court directive.
The group claimed public opposition to the Siang dam has persisted for over 40 years, yet the concerns of indigenous people have been ignored. They urged the state government to reconsider its approach to dam construction and ensure environmental and community concerns are addressed.
Regarding land compensation, the group questioned the status of land ownership post-acquisition, stating that ancestral lands cannot be compensated.
Arunachal’s hydropower potential is estimated at over 58,149 MW.
